Saturday November 22, 2025 | NATIONAL NEWS [Posted at 11:38 pm PT | Updated 1:51pm PT November 23, 2025]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
In addition to formal speeches and meetings at the G20 in South Africa this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney has had ‘meetings on the margins’ of the conference that point to continued economic trade talks as part of Canada’s trade diversification strategy.
“Canada’s new government is moving from reliance to resilience,” it was stated in a November 23 news release from Prime Minister Carney’s office (PMO).
The intersection of economics and politics is not only undeniable but for Canada at this time of unhinging this country’s dependence on trade with the United States, the dynamics of economic gain through political connections is broad and deep.
“This G20 takes place in a very different world,” said Carney in a press conference with Canadian reporters in South Africa (November 23 their local time), referring back to earlier engagement with South Africa by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and former Finance Minister Paul Martin. It was Martin who helped to design the G20 to help strengthen financial stability, said Carney.
Carney used phrases like “the global north and south” as part of painting some imagery of connecting places that are geographically far apart.
Carney pointed out that the last century saw concentration of capital, production and power. This century, he says, is different — working with technology, energy and influence.
“The global economy is being rewired. Canada is not retreating,” said Carney at the conclusion of his formal remarks today in which he mentioned twice that the US was not in attendance.
UAE:
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, met on November 20 in Abu Dhabi to advance bilateral ties and set clear priorities for trade and investment.
The two leaders discussed strengthening people-to-people and commercial ties between the two countries.
Areas of trade include energy, water, and agri-food; cooperation in advanced sciences, space and innovation; and regional stability and security.
The UAE will invest $70 billion in Canada, said Carney during his press conference.
[See details of Canada-UAE – a shared commitment to promoting prosperity, stability and security through concrete actions]
EU:
Today Carney met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The two leaders discussed the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future launched earlier this year, welcomed progress on its implementation, and discussed priorities for cooperation over the next year, such as critical minerals, clean energy, AI, and defence.
“As Canada diversifies its trade and doubles its non-U.S. exports, there are vast opportunities for Canada and the EU to elevate their relationship even further,” the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) stated today.
“In the near term, the leaders will focus on concluding negotiations on a bilateral agreement for Canada’s participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, to accelerate defence procurement and industrial opportunities for Canada.”
France:
Today Carney met with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The two leaders discussed the G7 as Canada concludes its Presidency and France prepares to assume the role. The leaders remain focused on key global priorities, such as critical minerals, clean energy, and AI.
The leaders also spoke about the growing bilateral relationship between Canada and France. As Canada diversifies its trade, this country is elevating its relationship with more cooperation and new partnerships across energy, defence, aerospace, technology, and critical minerals.
Norway:
Prime Minister Carney met with the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Carney congratulated Støre on his re-election in September. As NATO Allies, Nordic partners, and members of the Arctic Council, Prime Minister Carney underscored the close and growing relationship between Canada and Norway.
The leaders discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation and catalyze new partnerships between Canada and Norway in trade, investment, clean energy, critical minerals, technology, aerospace, and across the defence supply chain.
“As Canada diversifies its trade, launches major nation-building projects, increases its defence spending, and attracts greater investment into our economy, Prime Minister Carney emphasized opportunities to accelerate commercial ties,” the PMO’s statement said.
Tri-lateral with Australia and India:
Australia, Canada and India have agreed to enter into a new trilateral technology and innovation partnership: the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership.
The three sides agreed to strengthen their ambition in cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, to complement existing bilateral initiatives.
“The initiative will draw on the natural strengths of the three countries and have an emphasis on green energy innovation and building resilient supply chains, including in critical minerals,” the PMO said.
“It will deepen their respective ambition and strategic collaboration towards net zero and drive further diversification of supply chains towards a secure, sustainable, and resilient future. The Partnership will also examine the development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence to improve the lives of our citizens.”
They agreed that officials should convene in the first quarter of 2026 to take the initiative forward.
Vietnam:
Prime Minister Carney, met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính, on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Canada’s prime minister discussed the need for greater integration and cooperation between the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union (EU) and underscored the transformative economic benefits it could catalyse.
Linking two of the world’s largest trading blocs – representing nearly 800 million consumers – would strengthen supply chains, expand trade, and catalyse investment across the Indo-Pacific and Europe, with direct gains for Canadian workers and businesses.
The leaders discussed what would be required to achieve a structured agreement that deepens economic CPTPP-EU cooperation and increases trade.
Working with Vietnam during its 2026 CPTPP Presidency, Canada will advocate for collective progress on key issues, including digital trade, investment facilitation, and critical minerals. T
he Prime Minister instructed his Personal Representative to the EU, John Hannaford, to convene senior officials from Canada, the EU, and Vietnam within the next two months, with the aim to deliver concrete results early next year.
UK:
On the sidelines at the G20, Carney met briefly with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of their bilateral meeting at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa today.
Starmer pointed out how he and Canada’s prime minister think in a similar manner and have similar values — which helps lead to productive meetings and results.
What is being described by the PMO as “a deepening relationship” between Canada and the United Kingdom, includes trade, AI, clean energy and critical minerals.
South Africa:
South Africa is Canada’s largest trading partner on the continent, says the PMO.
In Johannesburg this weekend, the Prime Minister met with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, to further deepen commercial ties and strengthen cooperation in critical minerals, energy, and advanced technologies. To that end, the leaders:
- Announced the launch of discussions toward a potential Canada-South Africa Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, to help create a more predictable environment for two-way investment.
- Welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the Canada-South Africa Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. Once in force, this agreement will provide a strong framework for collaboration on clean energy.
- Recognised the opening of FinDev Canada’s new regional office in Cape Town in 2026, which will expand Canadian investment across the continent, building on more than $318 million provided by FinDev Canada in 2025 alone.
- Welcomed South Africa’s public endorsement of the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan and Roadmap, opening the door to stronger collaboration on responsible and resilient high-standard critical minerals supply chains.
- Announced that Canada will welcome a trade mission from South Africa next year. The delegation will participate in the Ag in Motion trade fair in Saskatchewan, which will bring together international and Canadian leaders in agriculture innovation.
Ukraine:
Discussion about continued support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion and aggression was discussed by Carney with several world leaders:
- EU – Carney and Ursula von der Leyen reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine as discussions evolve on a peace plan to end Russia’s war of aggression.
- France – Carney and Macron reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and underscored that any settlement must include Ukraine’s involvement, respect Ukraine’s core interests, and provide security guarantees. Carney committed to working with Allies to reach a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. On Gaza, the leaders stressed the urgency of bringing stability to Gaza and the need to accelerate reconstruction efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
- Norway – The two prime ministers discussed pressing global challenges, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
- United Kingdom – Carney and Starmer discussed “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine in achieving a durable and lasting peace”.
A joint statement with a 28-point plan for “just and lasting peace” was issued by Carney and several other leaders, saying that the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine are welcome. They were clear that “that “borders must not be changed by force”. [See full November 22, 2025 statement about Ukraine]
This statement was adopted by Prime Minister Carney, President Macron, Prime Minister Martin, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Sánchez, Prime Minister Schoof, Prime Minister Starmer, Prime Minister Støre, President Stubb, Prime Minister Takaichi, President Costa, and President von der Leyen.
Carney said in his press conference today that he will followup with Ukraine’s President on some followup details. [See link / to come]
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